Explore the striking cultural contrasts of Vietnam and Cambodia on this 8-day Downstream Classic Mekong Cruise from Saigon to Siem Reap aboard RV Bassac Pandaw. Travel from Saigon's vibrant French colonial port through the vast delta so rich in human life and endeavor to Cambodia's rich countryside. With a full day in charming Phnom Penh, you then explore remoter waterways as you progress to the great monuments of Angkor. Disembark in Saigon.
Highlights
Visit the floating markets & fish farms by sampan in Chau Doc
Explore riverside villages, markets, and temples while traversing through Kampong Tralach
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
In the morning, you visit Angkor Ban and a local Cambodian school where the local library was built with the support of Pandaw and the guests. Guests are encouraged to bring books to donate to the library for children to read. After lunch, you study the entire silk-making process from worms to weavers as you visit 'Silk Island'. After learning about the silk process there is a demonstration of the ancient Khmer martial art of Bokator.
In the morning, travel by coach to the ancient capital of Cambodia, Oudong. On the way, you stop to visit the Vipassana Dhura Meditation Centre before taking a drive around the city. Rejoin your ship in Kampong Tralach for lunch aboard. In the afternoon, you travel by ox-cart around the river-side villages, markets, and temples. In the evening cocktails are around a village fire pit where you joined by village folk keen to show you their traditional dancing and more of the delightful Khmer culture.
Morning orientation of Phnom Penh by cyclo visiting the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda followed by the National Museum with its marvelous collection of Angkorian statuary. In the afternoon you visit the Killing Fields and Genocide museum to learn more about the brutal Khmer Rouge regime. Overnight in Phnom Penh city port with its lively bars, restaurants, and night life.
You up anchor early morning and cruise downstream along the Mekong River to the Vietnam border for immigration formalities. You go alongside at the picturesque border town of Long Thuan where you visit the floating fish farms by sampan. You make a stop at a Taoist temple where you meet a local fortune teller before continuing by Xi Loi through the riverside village and their various farms. Before heading back to the ship, you enjoy a traditional Vietnamese Lion dance onshore.
Sailing through the delta offers a real insight into life along this vast waterway. You pass through a small canal and head ashore to Con Phuoc Island where you visit local craftspeople weaving bamboo baskets the traditional way. After a demonstration, you try your hand at making your own. You then take a local tuk tuk for a drive through this peaceful village, stopping at a 100 year old church and meeting more of the friendly local community.
After lunch, you journey by sampans through mangroves and bamboo forests to the fruit orchards of Ben Tre. This is an area rich in birdlife which you explore via local transport before transferring to a local rowboat. You journey slowly through the bamboo covered canals before arriving at a village specializing in making local products. In the evening you are entertained by a Vietnamese dance troupe on deck.
Day 8: My Tho | Saigon | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Morning disembarkation and travel by coach from My Tho to Saigon.
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Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$3,3582-3 travelers
Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.
Main Deck Stateroom
10 main deck staterooms
Bedroom: 12' x 10'
Bathroom: 6' x 4'
Showeroom: 2'8" x 3'4"
Single Bed: 6'7" x 3'3"
*Available in Twin and Double Configuration
Upper Deck Staterooms
20 upper deck staterooms
Bedroom: 12' x 10'
Bathroom: 6' x 4'
Showeroom: 2'8" x 3'4"
Single Bed: 6'7" x 3'3"
*Available in Twin and Double Configuration
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.8 | 254 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 254 reviews on
3 weeks ago
We have used All Adventure Life many times over the years and the team members have been amazing through all the planning processes! Jeff has been our planner for China last year and Vietnam next year, and he is very responsive and overall terrific!
Cindy Gordon
1 month ago
great service so far
Jennifer Szerb
1 month ago
Friendly, accommodating, knowledgeable, timely. They have made us feel very comfortable for our trip!
Gregg Chamberlain
1 month ago
We had an excellent experience with Adventure Life. This was our second trip with them and we have a third in process. Our trip to Vietnam and Asia were well planned, great accommodations and very good guides. Everything went smoothly.
Colorado Traveler
3 months ago
Adventure Life has been an extraordinary travel resource for us over the years and today was no exception. Our River Cruise booking was handled by Jess (who has been our personal trip planner for several years) the same day as our inquiry. Suggestions were given for cabin choice and pre-trip options (that were not shown on the cruise line's website) like airport transfers and prepaid gratuities. Trip insurance recommendations followed and we were assigned a travel co-ordinator till the end of the tour. All we have to do is show up! Great service from friendly folks.